Societe Europeenne De Propulsion

Francois R Barbaza

Michel C Vives

The seat comprises panels made of ceramic matrix composite and assembled to one another by shape and by adhesion, either by interposition of an adhesive or else by condensification using the ceramic matrix material. The invention is particularly suitable for armored seats for helicopters.

Composite armored seat, and method of manufacture

A masking is provided along the position of one each folding or separation line (45.sub.1 to 45.sub.6), in order to prevent the infiltration of the matrix material into the or each masked zone of the preform. After densification of the preform by chemical vapor deposition and removal of the masking, the or each masked zone of the preform constitutes a flexible bond integrated to the densified preform. Advantageously, the masking of the preform is maintained during a first densification phase until the unmasked parts (40.sub.1 to 40.sub.7) are consolidated. The masking is then removed to obtain flexible bonds integrated to the consolidated preform, allowing the latter to be brought to a shape corresponding to the component by folding along the lines corresponding to the flexible bonds, after which the densification is continued. Alternatively, the masking can be removed only after the final densification to obtain a composite component having one, or a number, of articulations.

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Pautillac, France

Francois R Barbaza